damageSyngenta Parent Seed PlantWashington, IAWorked under Allen Brush and Joey IhrigJunePurity checks/roguingPollen and silk countsSyngenta Parent Seed PlantWashington, IAWorked under Allen Brush and Joey IhrigJulyInternship Project Presentation!Syngenta Parent Seed PlantWashington, IAWorked under Allen Brush and Joey IhrigAugustSyngenta Parent Seed PlantWashington, IAWorked under Allen Brush and Joey IhrigKayla J. PetreeProduction and Supply Intern, SyngentaObjectivesWere lower germ rates due to drying operations or genetics of heterotic families?How do dryer operations affect the germination of Syngenta corn inbreds?Were there any relationships between heterotic families?Could drying methods be adjusted in order to improve germination rates?MethodSyngenta Plant harvests corn and dry down to ~12.5% moistureDryer bins collect data while corn is being driedGather and identify desired data--bin depth, dry rate, harvest moisture, etc.Use statistical software to analyze data and create easily understood graphsAnalyze graphs to determine if changes can be made to dryer operations to improve germsResults: Raw SeedResults: Sized SeedResultsParent Seed Drying Operations:What can we do to improve germs and vigor?ConclusionsTo improve germ rates we need to maximize bin depthSlower dry rates = better germsDry rates between 4-6 hrs correlate with higher germ ratesOptimum harvest is around 28-30% (used ~34% in the past)In 2011, at the USWN site, the value for every 1% increase in warm germ for male heterotic inbreds is ~$35,000.Why is this important?Questions?Golf Outingmid-JulySyngenta FunIntroduction to Parent SeedFocuses on growth and development of corn inbredsAt harvest corn is put into bins and dried downData is recorded during this timeSeed subjected to a warm and vigor germination testSeed is sized and tested againStrive for 90% warm germ rate and vigor germ rate of 80%Certain Syngenta inbreds can be problematic--particularly malesParent Seed Drying Operations: What can we do to improve germs and vigor?